Centre Stage – Executive in the spotlight

Published: 28 Jan 2020

In an interview with us, our Chief Staff – Corporate Development, VidhyaShankar shares his thoughts on Ninestars’ refreshed strategy, handling corporate development and the importance of strategy planning to accelerate innovation.

Q. You recently joined Ninestars as Chief of Staff. Tell us a bit about your role.

A. My role largely involves activating and bringing together the brain trust of the organisation. The founders have managed to build a true legacy in the form of people, clients and a stellar reputation – we need to leverage our strengths and capabilities as a pioneer in the digitisation space into a new future as we face a brave new digitalised world.

Q. What are the areas of focus, short-term and long?

A. Focus is on People, Patrons, Processes and Positioning: Breathe new life to content; Execute our business growth plans; Ensure continued Client successes and Establish leadership in the Content Tech space globally.

Q. Ninestars is transforming to a content tech company. What does that mean to our customers?

A. As the world around is fast changing, we need to be relevant to our clients and they in turn to their customers – we are becoming a data led intelligence & Insights organisation supporting our clients in their digital transformation.

Q. What are you looking forward to in terms of challenges?

A. Working with Ninestars People and global clients is something that I am looking forward to; and ensuring the legacy continues as we move into top gear, excites me.

Q. What is your leadership style?

A. I am adaptive and try to lead from the front – listening a lot with focus on empowering people. I believe in meritocracy and expect team members to give 100%. Totally, believe in the power of TEAMS and the credo that We Can & We Will achieve and grow a lot more together.

Q. This might be a tad early but what’s your favorite part about working with Ninestars?

A. The office and people have great vibes; Working with Gopal as a Chairman is a fantastic learning experience in leadership, business acumen and imbibing the traits of a visionary. Interacting with Gokul as a MD is a humbling experience in operations and implementing visionary objectives.

Q. What inspires you?

A. A sense of adventure and joy in discovering new ideas, people and manifesting the improbable or the so called impossible – get a total high out of channelizing passion in News, Brands, Technology and unravelling what makes the world go around.

Q. What are you hobbies and interests outside of work?

A. Yoga, Calisthenics, Motor Biking/Driving, Mountains, Music, Movies and GOLF!